In a powerful address that blended personal reflection with regional vision, Rapilla stated:

“Brisbane 2032 offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to align vision, funding, and political will. The serious work must begin today.”

Drawing from decades of experience across the Olympic Movement and her leadership roles in Papua New Guinea, Oceania, and globally, Rapilla outlined a bold case for reframing Brisbane 2032 as “Games for Oceania” with the Pacific not as passive participants, but as equal partners and co-creators of legacy.

At the heart of this vision is the ONOC Home Games Advantage Initiative, a flagship strategy developed by the Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) to convert the Brisbane Games’ proximity into sustained Pacific performance and development. The programme is already unlocking a wide range of collaborative projects across South-East Queensland and the Pacific, from athlete pathways and education alliances to legacy planning and inclusion strategies.

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“This is not just about medals,” Rapilla said. “It’s about building systems. It’s about empowering people. And it’s about leaving a legacy that will uplift generations to come.”

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Key priorities identified under ONOC’s Home Games Advantage Programme include:

• High-performance access for Pacific athletes in SEQ through elite coaching, sports science, and competition exposure.
• Paralympic inclusion across all 17 Oceania nations by 2032.
• Strategic partnerships with Queensland universities and institutions to support dual careers, research, and training.
• A dedicated visa pathway to allow Pacific athletes and coaches to live, train, and study in Australia.
• A Pacific Engagement Strategy with the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee, encompassing trade, diplomacy, sustainability, and culture.
• Home-away-from-home support systems including host family initiatives and cultural wellbeing networks.

Rapilla cited recent Pacific athlete success stories like Anahira McCutcheon (Fiji), Yeshnil Karan (Fiji), and Pais Wisil (PNG) as living proof of what targeted support and proximity to elite environments can achieve. She stressed, however, that ad-hoc interventions must now give way to long-term, integrated systems.

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“This is our moment to act with intention. The Pacific has the people, the purpose, and the potential. Now we need the partnerships,” she said.

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Rapilla highlighted the need for meaningful, structural partnerships not short-term projects and identified eight key aspirations that Brisbane 2032 can help deliver for Pacific nations:

Eight Aspirations for the Pacific Towards Brisbane 2032

Athlete Representation and Podium Inspiration

Full participation of Pacific athletes—qualifying on merit and reaching podiums—will inspire future generations and strengthen national pride across Oceania.

High-Performance Pathways

Re-establishing long-term athlete development programs across the region and embedding training bases in South-East Queensland will ensure sustained access to elite coaching, competitions, and support services.

Inclusive Sport Ecosystems

Achieving full Paralympic representation from all 17 Oceania nations will mark a milestone in inclusion. This requires accessible infrastructure, trained para-coaches, and changed perceptions of disability.

Human Capital Development

Developing a Pacific workforce for Brisbane 2032 through training of technical officials, volunteers, sport professionals, and media personnel will build lasting capacity beyond the Games.

Sport for Sustainable Development

Leveraging sport to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals—especially in gender equality, health, youth empowerment, and climate resilience—will deepen the role of sport in Pacific societies.

Media, Culture, and Digital Inclusion

Amplifying Pacific voices, stories, and traditions through the Games, including a proposed Pacific Village in the Athletes’ Village and training youth in digital storytelling, will build cultural pride and global visibility.

Infrastructure and Facility Upgrades

Targeted upgrades of community facilities will position Pacific nations to host pre-Games training camps and international competitions, strengthening both sport and local economies.

Trade, Investment, and Economic Diplomacy

Brisbane 2032 can become a platform to showcase Pacific products, talent, and industries fostering new trade and tourism partnerships across the region.

As Chair of the IOC’s Olympism365 Commission, Rapilla also emphasized Brisbane 2032’s power to accelerate the UN Sustainable Development Goals through sport, especially across health, education, gender equality, and youth empowerment. The Home Games Advantage Initiative reflects this integrated approach, where sport becomes a driver of broader regional development.

The keynote concluded with a rallying call to Australian and Pacific stakeholders: “The Pacific must not be a footnote in the Brisbane story. It must be a feature. This is our time. We must make it count.”

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Project Contact:
Atma Maharaj
atmamaharaj@bigpond.com